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Kakashi (with his trademark dead-fish eyes): "..."
Feng Bai (offering an awkward but polite smile): "..."
Kakashi was rendered speechless. Upon hearing his father's approaching footsteps, he had excitedly pushed open the door, only to discover his father standing there holding hands with a child who appeared slightly younger than himself.
If not for the newcomer's distinctly black hair, the precocious Kakashi might have genuinely wondered whether he'd suddenly acquired a younger brother.
"Kakashi, I'm home." Observing the two boys locked in silent mutual assessment, Sakumo scratched his head and took the initiative to dissolve the awkward atmosphere.
"Mm, welcome back, Dad." Kakashi's initial excitement evaporated, replaced by a characteristically languid response to Sakumo.
Sensing the tension, Feng Bai proactively extended his hand in introduction: "Hello, my name is Feng Bai."
Studying Feng Bai's thin, pale palm, Kakashi hesitated momentarily. Under Sakumo's expectant gaze, he finally reciprocated the handshake: "Kakashi. Kakashi Hatake."
Feeling the pronounced calluses covering Kakashi's grip, Feng Bai marveled internally. So many calluses—definitely not typical for a child's hands. It seems Kakashi truly is a hardworking prodigy.
Meanwhile, Sakumo experienced profound relief. Fortunately, Kakashi had accepted the newcomer.
It appeared his son's personality hadn't completely deteriorated.
Having spent extensive periods away on missions, Sakumo perpetually worried about Kakashi's social isolation. In his perspective, while shinobi lived to complete their assignments, long-term survival in the ninja world ultimately depended on trustworthy teammates above all else.
"Feng Bai will be staying with us temporarily. When you're free, you can show him around the village." Sakumo seized the moment, hoping to foster a closer relationship between Kakashi and Feng Bai.
"Huh? But I still have training sessions..." Kakashi released Feng Bai's hand, instinctively preparing to decline.
"You can simply bring Feng Bai along." Sakumo smiled as he rose, denying Kakashi any opportunity for refusal. He proceeded directly to the kitchen and donned a pink apron: "I'll prepare lunch. You two go explore outside—just don't venture too far."
A pink apron?
Feng Bai stared in stunned disbelief at Sakumo's domestic homemaker appearance.
This is the legendary White Fang of Konoha?
Though, as expected, he truly was a gentle soul.
Lowering his head, Feng Bai followed the reluctant Kakashi out of the house.
"Yare yare, Lord Danzō, I wonder what urgent matter prompted you to summon me?" Within the Root headquarters, a distinctly hoarse voice resonated through the shadows as the pallid Orochimaru slowly emerged from the darkness.
Across from him, Danzō's single visible eye remained half-closed, maintaining his signature expression of cold indifference.
"I recall you possess a technique capable of determining blood relationships between individuals?" Danzō's voice carried its typical icy detachment, his tone betraying no emotional fluctuation.
Yet to Orochimaru's ears, this represented a remarkable anomaly: the man who perpetually obsessed over mastering both Wood Release and the Sharingan hadn't opened their conversation by demanding research progress updates for once!
Nevertheless, Orochimaru remained Orochimaru. He swiftly recovered from his surprise: "Indeed, that's correct, Lord Danzō."
Compared to the complexities of Hashirama cell research, such a task would prove remarkably straightforward.
"I see..." Danzō gradually opened his eye, studying Orochimaru while conducting internal calculations.
While his own research personnel could probably perform such testing, their accuracy would never match Orochimaru's expertise...
Yet he preferred not to reveal the specific nature of this request to Orochimaru...
Despite his mental preparation, when the moment arrived to actually voice his request, Danzō found himself hesitating.
Orochimaru recognized Danzō's internal struggle. Intrigued rather than departing with his usual experimental excuses, he waited with genuine interest for Danzō to speak.
"I'll arrange for two samples to be delivered shortly. Analyze them and determine whether a parent-child relationship exists." After prolonged internal debate, Danzō—recognizing that accuracy was paramount when his own interests were involved—finally decided to entrust this matter to Orochimaru.
Naturally, Danzō craftily avoided revealing whose samples these were, planning to determine his next course of action after receiving the results.
"I understand completely. As usual, then—the established location." Orochimaru extended his tongue, licking his lips as he accepted the assignment.
Once Orochimaru departed, Danzō immediately summoned a subordinate: "Beta!"
"Lord Danzō." A Root operative wearing a mask and black hooded cloak materialized instantly.
"Locate the child Sakumo brought back and obtain his biological sample. Deliver it alongside mine to Orochimaru. Remember—maintain absolute confidentiality!" Although he knew they were all bound by cursed seals, Danzō still emphasized the critical importance of secrecy.
"Understood!" Beta offered a respectful bow before withdrawing.
After confirming Beta's departure, Danzō finally abandoned his composed facade, pacing anxiously within the chamber.
He actually had a son?
Having never married, dedicating himself entirely to his ambition of becoming Hokage, and now he had a son?
Such a small one, at that?
Even though the boy's gaze held unmistakable fear when looking at him, he was still Danzō's child.
Come to think of it, Hiruzen had been correct. The boy genuinely did possess traces of Danzō's younger features.
And that delicate little face bore such resemblance to that woman—
No, that's delusional. He could no longer even recall her appearance. In truth, everything that had transpired during that period had completely escaped his control.
Regardless, this was his son.
Though the test results remained pending, Danzō had already unconsciously accepted Feng Bai as his child.
How disgraceful. Immersed in darkness, manipulating human hearts, orchestrating chaos throughout the shinobi world—he should have discarded all emotional attachments long ago. Yet at the moment he learned of having a son, his heart had experienced that faint, unmistakable tremor.
You've grown weak, Danzō.
"Gamma!" Reaching this conclusion, Danzō ceased his pacing and called out sharply.
"Lord Danzō." Another Root operative appeared behind him, virtually identical to the previous one save for subtle mask pattern variations.
"This base is excessively dim. Purchase some candles—no, electric lighting. Arrange for proper illumination installation throughout these facilities to brighten the environment." Danzō issued the directive with characteristic stoicism as he surveyed the surrounding gloom.
"Y-yes, sir." Though momentarily startled, Gamma accepted the unusual order.
"Additionally, assign personnel to prepare a spacious room with appropriate living supplies—suitable accommodations for a four-year-old child." Danzō supplemented his instructions.
"Understood." Gamma's confusion deepened, though years of conditioning prevented him from questioning anything beyond his assigned duties.
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